People don’t typically blame their furnaces when they feel sinus pressure. Unfortunately, your central heating system could be the culprit.
When the temperature drops, you turn on your heater and wait for it to get warm and cozy in your home. The last thing you want to do is start sneezing, blowing your nose, and coughing! However, many homeowners begin noticing these symptoms as soon as their heater begins working.
Unfortunately, your central heating system could be the culprit. People don’t typically blame their furnaces when they feel sinus pressure, especially during the colder seasons. Many assume they caught “that bug going around” or another type of illness. However, if you notice persistent symptoms this winter, your heating system may be affecting your indoor air quality, and it’s worth getting it checked out.
Called Thomas Hoffmann HVAC and received service very quickly. Regular winter maintenance was provided. They always do a great job.Really appreciate their service and would recommend to anyone in kirkwood!
Response from the owner: Thank you for choosing Thomas Hoffmann HVAC! We're glad we could promptly address and resolve your HVAC issue. Appreciate your recommendation!
Punctual / friendly / great service !!Highly recommend!
Response from the owner: Thank you, Mike! We're so glad you had such a positive experience with our technicians—your recommendation means a lot to us!
Having Nick come to our aid was a great experience and he offered followup assistance with the fancy technology part of the appliance if we need it. We will call him again if the need arises. Merry Christmas.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Marilyn! We're glad to hear that Nick was able to assist you and provide follow-up support. We appreciate your trust in us and wish you a Merry Christmas!
These guys are pros.Techs are friendly, listen and explain what they are doing.Office staff is responsive.Fast service....
Response from the owner: Thank you, Clark, for your kind words! We're glad to hear our techs and office staff made your experience a great one. Your feedback means a lot to us!
Nick was a true expert in explaining our options for a new thermostat.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Robert, for your kind words about Nick's expertise; we're glad he could help you with your thermostat options!
My AC unit was located on the ground in a very undesirable area; in the direct path of my neighbor’s downspout. Sent pics to Thomas, got a reasonable estimate to raise the unit off the ground and bolt it to my foundation. The work was completed cleanly and efficiently at a very reasonable price! Extremely satisfied with their work!
Response from the owner: Thank you, Diane, for your wonderful 5-star rating; we appreciate your support!
Notified me of expected arrival time and then again when he was on his way and was exactly on time! Nick was very personable and trustworthy.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Maureen. We're glad to hear that Nick kept you informed and made your experience enjoyable!
Thomas Hoffmann AC & Heating was wonderful to work with. They arrived on time, diagnosed the issue and got the work done fast. I would recommend Thomas Hoffmann AC & Heating to anyone.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Adam, for your kind words and recommendation; we're glad to hear you had a great experience with our team!
Tom and his team helped us select a great 2nd unit for our first floor. Installation went smoothly and it looks great. Cheers!
Response from the owner: Thank you, Immy! We're glad Tom and the team could assist you in finding the perfect unit and that the installation went smoothly. Enjoy your new space!
Arrived early in the time window quoted. Zach is a thorough tech and discovered an issue I had suspected. Able to quickly get the part and fix the issue. Great company to work with. The communication before the appointment is outstanding. Highly recommended.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Dale, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad Zach could assist you effectively, and we appreciate your kind words about our communication and service.
Excellent Service. Thank you Zackery
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words, Buzz! It was a pleasure assisting you.
I'm a new customer and had my first appointment for furnace check.My tech was Zack and what a professional. He explained how he checked system and answered all my questions. This was a very good experience
Response from the owner: Thank you, Patricia, for your kind words! We're glad to hear that Zack provided you with a professional and informative experience during your furnace check. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
Thomas Hoffman was so helpful. They even helped me set up my nest thermostat.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Krista, for your kind words; we're glad Nick could assist you with your nest thermostat!
Service was on time and did a quality service of my two systems.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Paul, for your kind words about our timely and quality service; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear you were satisfied with your systems!
Excellent customer service. Reasonably priced. My go-to for any HVAC needs.
Response from the owner: Thank you, John, for your kind words; we appreciate your trust in our team for all your HVAC needs!
Zachary is a very efficient worker and explained the work he did well.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Joseph, for your kind words about Zachary's efficiency and clear explanations; we truly appreciate your feedback!
I called on December 25th at midnight and started leaving a message and Thomas Hoffman the owner called me back almost immediately. He said he would come out the next morning between 8:00 and 10:00 am snd he was promptly on time. He fixed my problem and while he was there I decided to get an estimate for a new furnace and air conditioning unit. The price was very reasonable and the installers one of them being his son were both very professional very courteous, polite, arrived on time and finished the same day. I enjoy knowing that I now have the support of Thomas Hoffman heating and air conditioning along with the peace of mind that comes with owning a Trane. Nothing stops a Trane.Albert Koesterer
Response from the owner: Albert thanks so much for your kind reviews and your business. We truly appreciate it!!!
Great service! He set the thermostat to reach a certain temp and then go to a lower temp. Then in the AM go to a higher temp.He is patient and quite knowledgable.Dick Drummond - Kirkwood
Response from the owner: Richard, thank you for your kind words! I'm glad to hear you had a great experience with our services.
Zachary was here on the dot at 8:00am. Thank for making me the first stop as promised. Very friendly too.
Response from the owner: Thank you for recognizing our professionalism and friendliness!
Nick from Thomas Hoffman came for our spring check up. Nick is the best. He takes such good care of us. He has been taking really good care of us for several years.
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words about Nick! We appreciate your loyalty and trust in our services.
Excellent service
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words, Ella! We appreciate your feedback.
I have complete trust in Thomas Hoffman AC . I have had multipletechnicians who are always polite and knowledgeable.
Response from the owner: Thank you for your trust in our team, Henry! We appreciate your kind words about our technicians.
Just had our annual service on our furnace. The technician was very professional, friendly, thorough and spent time explaining what all he did and what his recommendations were going forward. Couldn't be happier. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THOMAS HOFFMAN AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING.
Response from the owner: Terry, we're so grateful for your kind words and for recommending us! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our technician during your annual furnace service. Thank you for choosing Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning and Heating!
Zachary was very professional and friendly and we would be happy to have him return to work on our furnace again in the future!
Response from the owner: Stephanie, we're so happy to hear that Zachary provided you with professional and friendly service! We look forward to working with you again in the future!
Excellent! Highly recommended
Response from the owner: Udis, we truly appreciate your recommendation!
I called on a Monday morning as air conditioning was blowing warm air. They were able to come to my house very early afternoon and fixed the problem. Would highly recommend and will use them again.
Response from the owner: Becky thank you so much for your great review. We appreciate your business and your kind words.
This company is so responsive to me that I love them. They respond immediately and I trust them. It always cost me, but that is the nature of the beast. I haven’t been steered wrong yet. They are genuinely nice to work with and honest. I use their maintenance program as well. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thank you for your kind words, we truly appreciate your trust in us and are glad to hear about your positive experience with our services.
They were outstanding and got us cool very quickly.
Response from the owner: Bill, we're so glad we could help you out quickly! Thank you!
Great job done quickly and I loved how they were on time. Thank you for providing great customer service.
Response from the owner: Myrtle, we're so glad you're happy with our service. Thank you for your kind words!
Giovanni was good…. This is reason we ask for him
Response from the owner: Thanks so much!
Zac and Giovanni are always extremely polite, considerate and professional. We are thrilled to have the new A/C unit. Our unit was 18 years old and stopped working in the thick of 100 degree weather. Tom (the owner) came over within an hour (after hours) and bought us time by changing out some parts until we could have the new one installed. We’re very happy with Thomas Hoffmann A/C and Heating!
Response from the owner: Katie, we're delighted that Zac, Giovanni, and Tom were able to assist you promptly and effectively during the heatwave. Thank you for choosing Thomas Hoffmann A/C and Heating!
Honest takes his time to listen and help you without charging Arm and a leg
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your kind words, Carrie! We truly appreciate your feedback.
Couldn't be happier with our experience. Our AC stopped working after typical hours and they were the only "24/7" HVAC service who was able to come out same day. Not only were they fast, but they identified and fixed the problem immediately and did some preventative maintenance (and showed me how to do it) to prevent it from happening again. Will absolutely use them again in the future.
Response from the owner: We're so glad to hear about your positive experience, Hannah White! Thank you for choosing us and we look forward to helping you again in the future.
Great service! Prompt, polite and got the job done quickly.
Response from the owner: We're so happy to hear that you had a great experience with us! Thank you for your kind words.
Thomas Hoffman personally quoted the job at a fair price and they did a quality install! I would highly recommend them!
Response from the owner: Thank you for recommending us, Joe! We appreciate your feedback and are glad you were satisfied with our service!
Came same day and fixed the problem.
Response from the owner: Thank you for your feedback! Glad we could help you out the same day.
Caught in a bind one evening (no AC), I called for an appointment to get mine repaired. They came out the next morning, one half hour early! Within 30 minutes we back up and running!! Thank you, Thomas Hoffman. You are my guys!
Response from the owner: Thank you for choosing us, Sue! We're glad we could help you out quickly and get your AC up and running smoothly again! Thomas Hoffman and the team appreciate your kind words!
Blower went out on a Sunday. They answered my call, got me in, replaced blower, very easy!
Response from the owner: We're so glad we could assist you with your blower on a Sunday! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Thomas is amazing and came over in only a couple hours and fixed my ac! True life saver 🙏🏼
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience with Thomas! We're glad to hear he was able to help you out quickly and efficiently. 👍
Fantastic experience! Our AC went out on a scorching Saturday evening. I wasn’t actually expecting anybody to get out that night, but when calling - I immediately got an answer, was on the schedule in 5 minutes, and Thomas showed up an hour later. He was honest, professional, and educational. Most importantly, I didn’t feel like he was cutting corners or trying to get in and out… a welcome contrast from most services these days. 6 stars out of 5, highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience, Andrew! We're so glad to hear that Thomas provided such honest and professional service for your AC needs. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to serving you again in the future.
Can Your Furnace Actually Make You Sick?
Bacteria and viruses make us sick. However, dust, mold, mildew growth, and fungi can contribute to allergies. Many of the symptoms of seasonal illnesses are mimicked by the body’s response to breathing in these allergens. Dry air, caused by low humidity, dusty and dirty vents can all contribute to these problems.
Some of the symptoms you may experience this winter while you’re running your furnace may include:
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Itchy nose & sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Dry throat
- Cracked lips
- Dry skin
- Nose bleeds
Central Heating Can Make Other Issues Worse
You may not typically experience allergies until you’re exposed to the allergens in your central heating system. However, for others who already deal with problems, their heating system could exacerbate their problems.
For instance, dry air, dust, and allergens can trigger coughing or shortness of breath if you’ve got asthma. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other lung conditions, may be affected by the air coming out of their HVAC system.
Central heating can also irritate the nose, making sinus infections worse. It can also contribute to dehydration, headaches, or migraines if you’re prone to them.
Why Do I Get a Stuffy Nose When the Air Conditioner Is On?
There are several possible reasons why you may be getting a stuffy nose when your air conditioner is on. Here are the most common reasons.
Allergies to Dust, Pollen, Dust Mites
For people with allergies, a poorly maintained air conditioning unit can exacerbate their condition. Anything from dust mites, mold, pollen, or other allergens can circulate in the indoor air through a dirty air filter. That can lead to a stuffy nose, watery eyes, coughing, and even skin problems.
Replacing or cleaning your air filters as often as the producer recommends is necessary and may even need to be done more often if you live in a dusty area.
Temperature Differences Trigger a Runny Nose
Sometimes, a stuffy nose is simply caused by the difference between the indoor and the outdoor temperature. If the indoor air is much colder than the air outside, getting inside might be followed by a runny, stuffy nose. Some people react more than others to differences in temperature, but the effect should last only a few minutes. Anything more serious than that may be caused by something else.
There is not much you can do about getting a stuffy nose from the temperature differences, but it is relatively harmless.
The Air Conditioner Dries the Air too Much
Air conditioning acts as a dehumidifier, and your nose might get stuffy if the air is too dry. Other related symptoms are coughing, skin rashes, dry skin, and stingy eyes. If you suspect this might be the cause of your problems, get a hygrometer, a simple measuring instrument that indicates the relative humidity in the air. The Environmental Protection Agency advises keeping it in a range between 30 and 60%. If it’s lower than this, it may be a good idea to invest in an air humidifier.
You Are Breathing Recycled Air
Air conditioners circulate the outdoor air, process it through their filtering and cooling systems, and blow it back inside. Anything wrong with your duct system, air filters, or condenser unit can decrease the quality of your indoor air. If your stuffy nose doesn’t go away and the HVAC professional can’t identify an issue with your AC unit, you may want to consider investing in an air purifier.
Having a stuffy nose may not always be related to the air conditioner, so it’s important to make sure there are no underlying health issues, like a viral infection or some other allergy.
How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
For those with asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system, especially young children or the elderly, maintaining indoor air quality is of the utmost importance to overall health. Our expert indoor air quality technicians can install an air purification system in your air ducts.
In addition, your HVAC system needs to be maintained regularly, especially if you have allergies. At least once a year, you’re going to want to have your entire system maintained and your air quality checked. It would help if you also changed your filters every 1-3 months, depending on how many people and pets live in your home.
Certain kinds of mold are toxic to humans, even if you don’t suffer from allergies. You should always have your HVAC ducts tested for mold. Mold growth usually indicates a moisture problem, so a mold inspection can help you pinpoint more significant issues in your home, like water damage.
Indoor Air Quality – St. Louis HVAC
Allergies can substantially negatively impact your physical and mental health, so if you are suffering, don’t ignore them. One of the best things you can do to help your allergies is to maintain good indoor air quality, and your HVAC technician might be your best friend on this front.
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC, we are a full-service residential heating and air conditioning company in St. Louis. With over 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and provide maintenance for your home’s HVAC system.
24/7 Service Call Now
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves in being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and provide maintenance for your business or home’s HVAC system.
